The performing arts department helps students connect through music, a type of bond some people never experience, with interest in the world of music as the tether. This first concert for Goffstown high school showed how the new ensembles have started to learn to work together. With students from all ensembles hustling around to set up chairs and stand for the band to go on at 7 PM on a Wednesday night, to kick it off. When the band started, it started with a bang because of the loud noise that comes from them waking anyone sleeping in the audience. Students in other groups await in the wings for their time to shine. Students choose to sing, take part in orchestra, band the communication through song and dance without talking, just listening, feeling, and what is seen through the lenses of creating something bigger with others and watching for a cue, that’s the focus. Everyone working toward the same goal, to make music, put on a performance, applause from the whole theater as the reward.
On Wednesday October 16th, 2024, Goffstown high school held the first concert of the year, introducing the new ensembles. The first concert consisted of all 6 of the music groups, while the next concert is planned to split into 2 nights, one for the open ensembles and one for the honors. These groups consist of orchestra, band, chorus, full orchestra (band, orchestra together), jazz band, and select vocal. The concert has gone well, with minor fixes usually expected in the first concert according to Raegan McKee, sophomore in band.
“I feel like we did a fairly good job of staying together, but oh my we need to be on time better and work on our balance.” McKee expresses. Balance of the groups becomes important because musicians strive to make sure other sections aren’t drowned out or vice versa. Sections of Altos saxophones to trombones is an example because you need to hear both sections of instruments. If more trombones they need to damper the volume while alto saxophones need to increase the sound. Being on time means the sections play at the same spot of music.
When playing in the theater it changes the acoustics, with a new sound it brings a “more echoey sound” because of the large space. It adds a new skill students learn because the dynamics or sound and volume change significantly. Acclimating to the difference and making every stroke of the bow or breath taken toward an instrument or singing needs to be larger, with more weight and quickness of the bow. Pivoting and acclimation to a new environment is key to success.
Balance is a key aspect in all ensembles. If you had five violins to one cello, the violins would decrease their sound and play softer and the cello would have to increase their volume. The ensembles may have three alto saxophones to seven tubas, tubas tend to be louder so playing quieter would be a must. Each year is different with new and old students getting used to a new balance. When in the theater it makes balance all the more important, being aware of both the change in the acoustics with only one rehearsal before the concert in the theater and the balance of instruments.
Raegan McKee explains how it’s important ” to actually listen to everyone around you, to make sure you are on time and how all the different parts sound together.”
